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Questions from Boston

Details are emerging in the Boston Marathon bombing that suggest the case will not only be remembered as a local tragedy, but also one with broad political and economic implications.

Authorities believe the two suspects may have ties to Chechnya, news that could rock the debate on immigration reform unfolding in Congress. A police officer in Cambridge died in a shooting, two days after the Senate voted down a gun-control bill. And law enforcement has the city of Boston on lockdown, just as billions in across-the-board spending cuts are hitting local authorities.

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Lockdown latest: 'We need more time

Suspects' uncle: 'Turn yourself in'

That set of facts raises a series of political and economic questions, as the manhunt in Massachusetts unfolds. Here are questions POLITICO is weighing.

What does this mean for immigration reform?

News that the two suspects in the Boston bombings may be long-term permanent residents from Chechnya, or at least the children of an immigrant, isn’t helpful news for immigration reform advocates, as the debate in Congress over comprehensive immigration reform kicks into high gear in the coming weeks.

Brent Wilkes, a prominent immigration reform advocate and head of the League of United Latin American Citizens, told POLITICO earlier this week that if “somehow the person who did this was an immigrant, that would be something that would certainly make it harder for us to usher legislation through both the Senate and the House.”

The worry, of course, is that the appetite among lawmakers to take on the controversial issue of immigration reform will wane, if the mood in the country shifts away from an interest in reform.

“We also appreciate the opportunity to talk about immigration particularly in light of all that is happening in Massachusetts over the last week,” he said.

Earlier this week, when law enforcement questioned a man of Saudi dissent – who was quickly cleared — several prominent anti-immigration voices linked the Boston events to the immigration bill, including Laura Ingraham and Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

King and other lawmakers, who oppose the direction of the debate, can be expected to use an event like the Boston case as another reason to try and slow walk, or thwart an overall bill before the end of the year – timing advocates consider their best shot at reform.

Despite the negative attention, immigration reform activists aren’t about to stop. They hope Washington will take action as Republicans look to make inroads with Latinos and Democrats, including President Barack Obama have pledged that they will take action on immigration reform.